St. Norbert College's New Gap Experience Program Enrolling for Fall 2014

Students graduating from high school in 2014 can apply for a new St. Norbert College Gap Experience, a program particularly relevant for students who are unsure what they want to major in and need some time to discern the direction for their life.

"I'm very excited about this innovative new program," said St. Norbert President Thomas Kunkel. "We recognize that students come to college with different experiences and expectations, and this will be an attractive alternative point of entry to St. Norbert College for a certain number of them. The program will be a journey of self-discovery, even as it helps prepare these students for college work and life."

This Gap Experience is designed for highly motivated students looking to transition into college life while earning college credit. The journey will combine leadership, service and international travel at off-campus locations for the first 13 weeks, followed by a January-term class and the culmination of the full first academic year at St. Norbert College.

Unlike many gap programs, this experience will earn students college credit and is designed to ensure that students in the program will earn sophomore status by the end of the first academic year. Participants qualify for St. Norbert's four-year graduation guarantee.

Any accepted student enrolling at St. Norbert College for the fall semester can apply to be accepted into the Gap Experience. A maximum of 20 students will be chosen, based on their application and recommendation from their college admission representative.

The selected Gap Experience students will travel with St. Norbert College staff and faculty to various sites throughout the U.S. and to the island of St. Lucia. The first portion of the semester will focus on leadership, and will be held at an outdoor leadership site along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior and will include sea-kayaking and backpacking. Following the leadership component, students will visit four U.S. locations and work with service organizations to help those in need. The final travel portion will feature a six-week international service experience in St. Lucia.

The Gap Experience costs the same as regular St. Norbert College tuition, room and board, aside from travel expenses. Housing and meals will be provided at the sites and while traveling. For the January term and second semester, students in the Gap Experience will live on the St. Norbert campus. Financial aid can be applied to this program.

For more information, visit http://www.snc.edu/go/GapExperience or contact St. Norbert College associate director of admission Eric Wagner, who is coordinating the Gap Experience application selection process. Wagner can be reached at eric.wagner@snc.edu or 920-403-3974.